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Note:Entries Are In Chronological Order

“In every struggle Heaven has, as yet, given us strength equal to the day; its hand is not shortened, nor its arm weakened.We are now called upon to show the world, ‘that whom we call fathers did beget us,’ and that we desire to enjoy the blessings they purchased for us with their lives and fortunes.

We fix on our Standards and Drums, the Colony Arms, with the motto, ‘qui transtulit sustinet,’ round it in letters of gold, which we construe thus: ‘God, who transplanted us hither, will support us.’”Letter, From Weathersfield, CT to a Gentleman in New York, April 23, 1775

“This morning a Manifesto from the Grand Continental Congress was read by the Rev. Mr. Leonard, chaplain to the Continental forces upon Prospect Hill in Charleston, to those troops encamped upon and near said hill.Our standard was presented in the midst of the regiments with this inscription upon it, ‘Appeal to Heaven’: after which Mr. Leonard made a short prayer, and then [we] were dismissed by the discharge of cannon, three cheers, and a war whoop by the Indians.”Lt. Paul Lunt, Entry in Diary, July 18, 1775

“We have accounts that the small squadron which sailed some time ago is bombarding Falmouth and Portsmouth. Our vessels must be careful how they fall in with them. Please to fix upon some particular color for a flag, and a signal by which our vessels may know one another. What do you think of a flag with a white ground, a tree in the middle, the motto ‘Appeal to Heaven?’This is the flag of our floating batteries.”Col. Joseph Reed, Letter to Colonel Glover and Stephen Moylan, October 20, 1775

“There is in the admiralty office the flag of a provincial privateer.The field is white bunting.On the middle is a green pine-tree, and upon the opposite side is the motto, ‘An appeal to Heaven.’”London Chronicle, History of the Flag of the United States, January 1776

“We are at length favored with a sight of his Majesty’s most gracious Speech, breathing sentiments of tenderness & compassion for his deluded American Subjects…And, farcical enough, we gave great Joy to them (the red Coats I mean) without knowing or intending it, for on that day, the day which gave being to the New Army (but before the Proclamation came to hand) we had hoisted the Union Flag in compliment to the United Colonies, but behold!It was received in Boston as a token of the deep Impression the Speech had made upon Us, and as a signal of Submission—so we learn by a person out of Boston last Night—by this time I presume they begin to think it strange that we have not made a formal surrender of our Lines.”George Washington, Letter to Joseph Reed, January 4, 1776

“Colonel Gadsden presented to the Congress an elegant Standard, such as is to be used by the Commander-in-Chief of the American Navy; being a yellow field, with a lively representation of a Rattlesnake in the middle, in the attitude of going to strike, and these words underneath, ‘Don’t tread on me!’”South Carolina Provincial Congress, February 9, 1776

“By a gentleman from Philadelphia, we have received the pleasing account of the actual sailing from that place of the first American fleet that ever swelled their sails on the Western Ocean, in defense of the rights and liberties of the people of these Colonies, now suffering under the persecuting rod of the British Ministry, and their more than brutish tyrants in America.This fleet consists of five sail, fitted out from Philadelphia, which are to be joined at the Capes of Virginia by two ships more from Maryland…

They sailed from Philadelphia amidst the acclamations of many thousands assembled on the joyful occasion, under the display of a Union Flag, with thirteen stripes in the field, emblematical of the Thirteen United Colonies…

For the happy success of this little fleet, three millions of people offer their most earnest supplications to Heaven.”Sailing of the First American Fleet, Newborn NC, February 9, 1776

“As it is necessary that every Regiment should be furnished with Colors, and that those Colors should, if it can be done, bear some kind of similitude to the Uniform of the regiment to which they belong; the Colonels with their respective Brigadiers and the Qtr. Master General may fix upon such as are proper, and can be procured—There must be to each Regiment, the Standard (or Regimental Colors) and Colors for each Grand Division, the whole to be small and light—The Number of the Regiment is to be marked on the Colors, and such a Motto, as the Colonel may choose, in fixing upon which, the General advises a Consultation amongst them.

The Colonels are to delay no time, in getting this matter fixed, that the Qtr. Master General may provide the Colors as soon as possible; they are also to consider what Camp-Equipage may be further necessary, that no time may be lost in providing it, as the season is fast approaching for taking the field.”George Washington, General Orders, February 20, 1776

“As to the Continental colors, the Congress have made no order as yet concerning them, and I believe the captains of their armed vessels have in that particular been directed by their own fancies and inclinations.I remember to have seen a flag designed for one of them, on which was extremely well painted a large rattlesnake, rearing his crest and shaking his rattles, with this motto, ‘Don’t tread on me’, but whether this device was generally adopted by the fleet, I am not able to say, I rather think it was not.”John Jay, Letter to Alexander McDougall, March 23, 1776

“Resolved that the Uniform of the Officers [of the Colony Sea Service] be green & white and that they furnish themselves accordingly and the colors be a white Flag with a green pine Tree and an Inscription ‘appeal to Heaven.”Massachusetts Provincial Congress, Acts and Resolves, Chapter 933, April 29, 1776

“Resolved, That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white: that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.”Journals of Congress, June 14, 1777

“I am happy in having it in my power to congratulate you on my having seen the American Flag for the first time recognized in the fullest and amplest manner by the Flag of France…it was in fact an acknowledgement of America’s Independence…I sent word to the [French] Admiral that I should sail through his fleet in the Brig [Independence], and would salute him in open day.He was exceedingly pleased and returned the compliment also with 9 guns.”John Paul Jones, Letter to the Naval Committee, February 22, 1778

“Some of the States have Vessels of War, distinct from those of the United States. For Example, the Vessels of War of the state of Massachusetts Bay have sometimes a Pine Tree, and South Carolina a Rattlesnake in the Middle of the thirteen stripes.

Merchant ships have often only thirteen Stripes. But the Flag of the United States ordained by Congress, is the thirteen Stripes and thirteen Stars as first described.”John Adams,The Commissioners to Domenico Caracciolo (Naples), October 9, 1778

“Mr. Hammet begged leave to inform the House [British Parliament] of a very recent and extraordinary event.There was… an American ship in the Thames, with the thirteen stripes flying on board.This ship had offered to enter at the custom house, but the officers were all at a loss how to behave.His motive for mentioning this subject was, that Ministers might take such steps with the American Commissioners as would secure the free intercourse between this country and America…The Ministers remained silent.”The Political Magazine, February 7, 1783

“The officers of the line of this state beg liberty to approach this honorable Assembly with the warmest gratitude, upon exchanging their military employment for the rank of citizens; the glorious objects of the late controversy with Great Britain being happily accomplished, they resume their former conditions with a satisfaction peculiar to freemen…

If their conduct in the field; if their wounds, and the blood of their companions, who have nobly fallen by their side, have entitled them to any share in the laurels of their countrymen, they are fully rewarded, in surrendering to your honors, upon this occasion, the standards of their corps, which have often been distinguished by the bravery of your soldiers, upon the most critical and important occasions.They beg you will be pleased to accept them, with their most cordial acknowledgments…

In behalf of the officers [of this State’s late Continental Battalion].”Jeremiah Olney, Letter to General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, February 28, 1784

“Gentlemen- The Governor and company, in General Assembly, convened with the most pleasing sensations, have received your affectionate and polite address.They congratulate you upon the happy termination of a glorious war, and upon your return, to participate with citizens and freemen in the blessings of peace.With peculiar satisfaction they recollect the bravery and good conduct of the officers of the line of this state…

They are happy in receiving those standards which have been often displayed with glory and bravery, in the face of very powerful enemies, and will carefully preserve the same, to commemorate the achievements of so brave a corps.

“Mr. Dandridge notified the Senate, that the President of the United States hath this day approved and signed a bill which originated in the Senate, entitled ‘An act making an alteration in the flag of the United States.’”Journal of the Senate, January 13, 1794

“Be it enacted, etc., That from and after the first day of May, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-five, the flag of the United States be fifteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be fifteen stars, white in a blue field.”Congress, The American Flag, January 13, 1794

“Among the commercial abuses still committed under the American flag… it appears that American citizens are instrumental in carrying on a traffic in enslaved Africans, equally in violation of the laws of humanity and in defiance of those of their own country. The same just and benevolent motives which produced interdiction in force against this criminal conduct will doubtless be felt by Congress in devising further means of suppressing the evil.”James Madison, Second Annual Address to Congress, December 5, 1810

“An Act to establish the flag of the United States.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress Assembled, That from and after the fourth day of July next, the flag of the United States be thirteen horizontal stripes, alternate red and white: that the union be twenty stars, white in a blue field.

And be it further enacted, That on the admission of every new state into the Union, one star be added to the union of the flag; and that such addition shall take effect on the fourth day of July then next succeeding such admission.”15th Congress, Statutes at Large, April 4, 1818